Second Basehor-Linwood teacher sentenced for inappropriate behavior with student

A former Basehor-Linwood High School teacher will see no jail time for inappropriate behavior with a student.

Kevin Vincent, who was a high school science teacher and boys soccer coach, received a six-month suspended sentence Monday morning in Leavenworth County District Court for one count of battery. Judge Michael Gibbens ordered Vincent be on probation for one year, during which he must complete sexual counseling. He will also register as a sex offender for one year and surrender his teaching license.

Vincent, a 30-year-old Shawnee resident, pleaded no contest Monday to one count of battery, or repeatedly and intentionally touching a 16-year-old female student in an offensive manner. The behavior took place from September 2007 to May 2008 at the school, according to County Attorney Todd Thompson. As part of Gibbens’ ruling, Vincent may not have any contact with the student or her family.

Thompson said considering the facts available in the case, he was pleased with the outcome.

“The family’s main concern was that he not be able to teach again and that he have to register as a sex offender, and we got that,” Thompson said. “I’m satisfied with the facts we had and charges we could file. Sometimes we don’t always have the most clean cut case or get exactly what the victim or victim’s family wants, and in this case it was what we could do.”

Information about the inappropriate behavior between Vincent and the student was uncovered during a Basehor Police Department investigation of a sexual relationship between former Basehor-Linwood High School history teacher and wrestling coach Scott Neil and the same female student. School officials first brought the student’s case to the attention of law enforcement authorities on May 19, 2009, Basehor Police Chief Lloyd Martley said.

Vincent was suspended with pay July 15, 2009. On Aug. 10, 2009, the board continued the suspension without pay, and his resignation was accepted Sept. 14. He was making $45,695 at the time his resignation was approved for teaching and coaching, including a stipend for acting as the senior class sponsor.

Neil received a six-month suspended sentence April 14 for one count of unlawful sexual relations with the student. Judge Gunnar Sundby also ordered Neil spend 48 hours in jail with 12 months probation, during which he must complete a sex offender program and register as a sex offender.

Neil, a 44-year-old Tonganoxie resident, pleaded guilty Feb. 17 to the charge filed Feb. 15 for two incidents that took place with the female student, one around June 1, 2008, and the other Dec. 31, 2008.

The Basehor-Linwood Board of Education suspended Neil with pay on May 20, 2009. On Aug. 10, 2009, the board continued Neil’s suspension without pay. Neil resigned shortly thereafter, and the board unanimously approved his resignation on Oct. 12, 2009.

Basehor-Linwood School District officials declined comment aside from a press release issued Monday in which Superintendent David Howard said, “This is a personnel matter, so confidentiality prohibits our school district from issuing further comment.”